I recently took delivery of a CX saddle from Mr. Alessandro Nati in Italy
(although, I committed to purchase it some time ago). Note that the rails are
black, not gold like Garth's model. Here are some quick shots of it (remember
to click twice):
http://www.wooljersey.com/
I purchased this saddle for my 1984 Torpado Superlight, based upon the photo
and spec. sheet seen in this approx. 1983 Torpado catalog, shown on Mark
Bulgier's wonderful website, (bulgier.net):
http://bulgier.net/
As a side note, the complete bike does in fact weigh about 18.7 lbs, just like the catalog specifies. It was weighed without the Campy aluminum freewheel installed (these are "rider" wheels), but with a (lighter than Campy Record) Nadax Fag bottom bracket, and a San Marco Concor Supercorsa saddle. I'll likely reweigh and re-photograph the bike, once the Royal CX saddle and Campy freewheel and Campy / Nisi Laser wheels are in place.
Ciao, Mark (Anything Torpado) Agree Southfield MI ~ ~ ~
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 22:23:33 -0500 From: "Steve Birmingham" <sbirmingham@mindspring.com> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Subject: RE:[CR]Selle Royal CX saddle
I'd put it a bit later, maybe 82 or 83. It's one of the weirder aero things.
The U shaped piece was to open the front, so air could flow through rather than around the saddle. Oh! the horrors of the extra frontal area of a saddle slowing you down! I vaguely recall seeing an ad, sometime around 82 or 83.
I do have one of these on a bike of mine, very aero bike, so it's an interesting acessory. It certainly dosen't make me any faster though :)
Steve Birmingham Lowell,Ma USA
Subject: [CR]Selle Royal CX saddle
I am trying to place the Selle Royal CX saddle in time and target market for its time. Let me describe it. I purchased it NOS recently and it actually comes with a blue rubber cover which is supposed to protect it during transit. It says Royal in the back support for the saddle rails. It is some kind of grained material that looks like it could be leather but probably is some kind of high tech material which feels like leather but is grippier and grainier. It is black with gold accents. There is a gold CX imprinted at either side of the nose. The nose has a gold metal U piece and the rails are gold also. The padding is thick and extra firm, and the leathery fabric is stitched on similar to the way work boots attach the sole. The skirts are low so I feel it should be about 1980 or so but it only says made in Italy, with no other stampings on the underside.
Garth Libre in Miami Fl.